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Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy Welcomes Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs

The 12th annual Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy, hosted by the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship, began Monday, July 25, for nearly 70 high school students interested in learning about entrepreneurship.

Haile Thomas

Keynote speaker Haile Thomas, health advocate, speaker, vegan chef and founder of the HAPPY Organization, addresses the academy participants Monday. Photo by Matt Fitzpatrick

Throughout the week, the students will meet successful business owners, participate in a Kickstarter challenge, present elevator pitches and develop a business plan to pitch to a panel of professionals. The students also will engage in innovation challenges and field trips to local business incubators.

Faculty members and Chaifetz School entrepreneurship students mentor the students throughout the week.

This year’s keynote speaker was Haile Thomas, a health advocate, speaker and vegan chef.

About the Speaker

After her father’s type 2 diabetes diagnosis, Thomas’ family began a journey of health and lifestyle changes that inspired her to become an advocate and founder of the HAPPY Organization, to address the need for affordable nutrition education and cooking classes for youth, as well as for fun physical activities and opportunities for kids to engage in community service.

Thomas is a certified healthy living ambassador with the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension office 4-H Club at Tucson Village Farm. She currently serves on several boards, and served for three years on the Clinton Foundation’s Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Youth Advisory Board.

She is one of eight young chefs featured on season one of Rachael vs. Guy Kids-Cook-Off, and Cupcake Wars Kids, both airing on Food Network. She is a junior chef advisor for Hyatt Hotel’s For Kids By Kids Menu, and contributing writer for Edible Baja Arizona, and Polish Magazines, sharing healthy recipes and encouraging readers to explore new plant-based recipes. She’s been featured on several TV shows such as TODAY, Rachael Ray and Dr. Oz. She hosts the “Plant-Powered Haile” Cooking Series on YouTube sharing nutritious vegan recipes.

Discussion during Allsup Entrepreneurship Academy

Students participate in a group discussion at the Cortex Innovation Community. Photo by Matt Fitzpatrick

A sample of other guest speakers include:

For more information about the Allsup Summer Academy, visit business.slu.edu or contact Laura Gardner at 314.977.3282 or lauragardner@slu.edu.

To view more photos and read updates on the week's activities, visit the Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business Facebook page.

By Matt Fitzpatrick